Sir Keir Starmer’s next big test is the Gorton & Denton by-election in three weeks' time; commentators are calling it a three-way race between the Greens, Reform and Labour. But how is this vote a microcosm of the national picture, and what does it tell us about the direction of travel in British politics and the key issues that really sway voters?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Darryl Morris, journalist, Times Radio.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Read more: In Gorton, where Labour is counting on long memories to see off Reform

Further listening: Who is the real Melania Trump?

Clips: BBC, Channel 4, Manchester Evening News, Novara Media, The Green Party, Reform UK, The Spectator.

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On nearly every metric, the UK is ranked as one of the worst places in the Western world to have cancer. But today, the government is rolling out an ambitious new National Cancer Plan to tackle the crisis. Will it be able to shorten waiting lists? Or do cultural problems within the NHS warrant a deeper fix?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

• Shaun Lintern, health editor, The Sunday Times.
• Jeremy Langmead, brand and content director of MR PORTER and contributor to The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Micaela Arneson, Harry Stott.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Read more: Why is Britain still lagging behind on cancer care?

Further listening: Will a review into mental health fix a system in crisis?

Clips: ITV News.

Photo: Illustration by Pete Baker for The Sunday Times.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A public inquiry resumes this week to investigate the deaths of over 2000 mental health inpatients in the care of NHS trusts in Essex. We unpick some of the themes the Lampard Inquiry has been hearing, and speak to a whistleblower about her experiences working on one of the wards.

This programme includes material that some listeners may find distressing, including descriptions of suicide.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

• Melanie Leahy, campaigner and mother of Matthew
• ‘Anna’, whistleblower and former staff at the Linden Centre

Host: Daniel Gordon.

Producers: Daniel Gordon, Edward Drummond, Taryn Siegel.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

If you’ve been affected by any of the issues raised, the following organisations can help:

SANE is a charity which provides emotional support and specialist services for people who need help with their mental health and their families.

Its helpline, SANEline, is 0300 304 7000. Details of other ways to get in touch can be found at sane.org.uk

MIND is another mental health charity offering support, its main information line is 0300 102 1234 Details of other helplines can be found at mind.org.uk

The Samaritans provides 24 hour emotional support to people struggling to cope or relatives bereaved by suicide. Call 116 123, or visit samaritans.org.

Further listening: Britain’s mental health reckoning - part one.

Clips: The Lampard Inquiry.

Photo: Joe Giddens/PA Wire.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.